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EDMONTON -- Federal NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair says if he were elected, he would give an extra $1.5 billion per year to infrastructure funding in cities.

Mulcair pledged the funds while speaking at a meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in Edmonton on Saturday afternoon.

Mulcair said the $1.5 billion would come from the gas tax transfer, which he expects to generate $3.7 billion annually by the end of the first term.

He said it's mathematically impossible to expect municipalities to pay for 60% of infrastructure with 8% of tax revenue.

"Communities have been let down by successive Liberal and Conservative governments that have failed to make a dent in Canada's infrastructure deficit, which sits at a staggering $172 billion and growing," Mulcair said. "An NDP government will be a real partner to Canada's municipalities with concrete investments to build and repair infrastructure that Canadian families and businesses require, and reduce commute times."

Mulcair also said his party would fund transit to the tune of $1.3 billion a year for 20 years.

On the affordable housing front, he pledged 10,000 housing spaces.

NDP National Director Anne McGrath said Alberta Premier Rachel Notley ran on a great platform that resonated with people, consistent with the federal party.

"People see that they no longer have to be trapped in a red-door, blue-door mentality," she said. "There is another option."

Green Party leader Elizabeth May will speak at the FCM conference on Sunday morning.